Xi Jinping 4 hours of talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, the Russian leader opens peace negotiations for the future of Ukraine, the US carefully follows the meeting and "blows up" Beijing's plans

Chinese President Xi Jinping sat down yesterday for talks with his counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, kicking off a long-awaited 3-day visit to discuss Beijing's peace proposal for Ukraine. According to Russian media, their meeting lasted four and a half hours. The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been closely watched by the White House. For the United States, which has long targeted the axis between Russia and China, trying to understand how far the so-called "borderless alliance" between the two countries can go, the Moscow summit could mark a possible starting point in the management of the war in Ukraine. But it's a summit that also risks turning into further evidence of Xi's return to the international stage.

The Chinese plan

According to foreign media, the Russian leader stated that the Kremlin has studied Beijing's 12-point peace proposals to end the war in Ukraine. However, the response from the White House was immediate, stating that if China proposes a cease-fire, Kiev will reject it." Also, the US has authorized $350 million (additional military aid to Ukraine, as US Secretary of State of State Antony Blinken said the military aid includes ammunition for missiles, anti-tank weapons and ships. "The world should not be fooled by any tactical moves by Russia, supported by China or any other country," he said. Blinken comments on Xi's state visit , saying that "

The role of China

China, which with the recent mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia has positioned itself very much on the Middle East landscape by stepping into the US leadership vacuum, appears to have recovered from paralysis due to the fallout from the coronavirus and the slowdown his. economy. And the war in Ukraine, having marked the tightening of China's embrace of Russia, could also signal a renewed interest by Beijing in establishing itself as a (more or less recognized) mediating power between Kiev and Moscow. US attention to the summit was also confirmed by US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, who reported to CNN that Washington would "reject" any ceasefire proposal from the Chinese side because it would effectively ratify the achievements. Russian in Ukraine, also giving Moscow the opportunity to rearm. "If you go to Moscow and sit for three days at the same table with President Putin and hear his views on a war that started and could end today, you should at least pick up the phone and talk to President Zelensky as well. has his own point of view,” Kirby continued. Thus reaffirming the clear difference between the approach of the United States and China on the Russian-Ukrainian front: on the one hand, full support for Kiev and condemnation of Moscow, on the other hand, a position that, according to the United States, hides a secret support for Russia. you should at least pick up the phone and talk to President Zelensky too. has his own point of view,” Kirby continued. Thus reaffirming the clear difference between the approach of the United States and China on the Russian-Ukrainian front: on the one hand, full support for Kiev and condemnation of Moscow, on the other hand, a position that, according to the United States, hides a secret support for Russia. you should at least pick up the phone and talk to President Zelensky too. has his own point of view,” Kirby continued. Thus reaffirming the clear difference between the approach of the United States and China on the Russian-Ukrainian front: on the one hand, full support for Kiev and condemnation of Moscow, on the other hand, a position that, according to the United States, hides a secret support for Russia.

Strong message

Chinese mediation, so far the only one truly welcomed by Putin, thus becomes a test case for some form of alternative leadership to the West. The Kremlin chief said he had "carefully studied the Chinese plan for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine" and respected "China's initiatives for a peaceful settlement." An openness that shows not only the obvious contractual strength of Xi vis-à-vis Russia, but also the certification of a model of diplomacy that stands in open contrast with the principles of the United States sanctioned even in this year of support for Kiev.